University Park, Pa. — The dates for one of the highlights of the Penn State sports calendar, Blue-White Weekend presented by AAA, have been set for 2012.
Blue-White Weekend will be held April 20-22, 2012, with the Blue-White football game on April 21 as the centerpiece for numerous activities throughout the weekend in and around Beaver Stadium.
Numerous events are held during Blue-White Weekend, including a carnival, fireworks, food vendors, the student entertainment stage and live music, a parade and the Penn State Idol finals. On gameday, the popular autograph session with the football student-athletes is held prior to kickoff of the Blue-White Game in Beaver Stadium.
Blue-White Weekend has become the university’s unofficial annual reunion and attracted record-breaking spring football crowds in excess of 70,000 from 2007-09, topped by 76,500 at the 2009 contest. The past two Blue-White Games have seen rain and cool weather stop the run of record-setting audiences.
Coach Joe Paterno’s Nittany Lions return 15 starters for the 2011 season, (7 offense, 7 defense, 1 specialist), as well as 17 players that have starting experience. Penn State opens its 125th season Sept. 3 vs. Indiana State in Beaver Stadium and Alabama visits Happy Valley on Sept. 10 for the first time since 1989.
Since the start of the 2005 season, Penn State has earned a 58-19 (75.3) record, tied with Oregon for No. 12 in the nation. Over the past six years the Nittany Lions have won two Big Ten Championships, won four bowl games and played in five New Year’s or Bowl Championship Series (BCS) games, the nation’s third-highest total.
Season tickets are available for the 2011 season. The Nittany Lions will face seven teams that played in bowl games last year, including four at home. Among the teams coming to Beaver Stadium this fall are: Alabama (Sept. 10), Iowa (Oct. 8), Purdue (Oct. 15-Homecoming), Illinois (Oct. 29) and Nebraska (Nov. 12).
All Penn State fans are encouraged to wear white to the highly-anticipated clash with the Crimson Tide.
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing season tickets, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can call 1-800-648-8269 (1-800-NITTANY).